Reserves Help Norfolk State Reach Semifinals

February 24, 1989|By TONY ANTHONY Metro Sports Coordinator

Norfolk State trailed St. Augustine's for much of the first half until a pair of reserves - sophomore Antonio Randolph and senior Guy Fauntleroy - gave the Spartans a helping hand in their CIAA semifinal game.

Norfolk State eventually won 76-56 after trailing 19-15 and then 31-23 in the first half.

"Our bench saved us time and again during the season," said Coach Charles Christian. "They did it again today."

Fauntleroy, a Warwick High graduate, finished with 12 points, while Randolph ended with 12 points and five rebounds.

But they combined for Norfolk State's last six points in the first half as the Spartans rallied to tie the score at 33-all at intermission.

Norfolk State faces the winner of the Hampton University-North Carolina Central in tonight's 9 p.m. semifinal.

In the second half, Randolph started Norfolk State on its way to victory, then Fauntleroy and Jerome Coles ended things.

Randolph led an opening 13-2 burst, while Coles scored eight points down the stretch and Fauntleroy added six.

"We're going to need all the bench we can muster to stay with them tonight.

Norfolk State improved its record to 25-3.

"When we started to apply defensive pressure in the second half and work our offense, there was no holding us back," said Christian. "I told them at the half that two of their players (John Willis with 14 and LaShun McDaniel with 10) had scored 24 of their 33 points. We had to make them give up their shots, and we did."

Coles led Norfolk State with 20 points and James Walker followed with 13.

Willis finished with 18 and McDaniel had 15 for St. Augustine's as they were held to nine second-half points.

Ernie Griffin, who played only 29 minutes, finished with 19 points. Others in double figures included Galvin Walker with 15, Tyson Ransom with 14, James Eaton with 11 and Melvin Satchell and Ronald Cousar with 10 for Elizabeth City, 17-9.

Coach Claudie Mackey of Elizabeth City had special praise for Walker and Darryl Riddick.

"Riddick got us some key 3-pointers while Walker not only scores but gives so much else that doesn't show up on the stat sheet. He's a very heady player on the court.